Chapter 175: The Beginning Of The Negotiations 1

The meeting reconvened less than an hour later. Everyone was uncomfortable. The floor had been repaired so that everyone could sit down again. However, there were still several guards standing around the exposed magical conduits. Raizen had had his shoulder treated, but he was in a foul mood.

Tanaka returned to his slime form. King Aldren stood up. “We shall continue.” Garrath Goldmane leaned back in his chair. “After all that?” “Especially after all that.” Aldren looked around the room.

“The aim of this meeting remains the same. We want to ensure that we are aware of what is going on. Eldoris has reached our borders, Varkesh is under their influence and new trade routes are appearing outside of the Great Verdant Forest. No matter how we feel about it, the political situation has changed.” This was enough to start another debate.

One of the Bearfolk representatives wanted more details on the military strength of Eldoris. One of the Boarfolk chiefs wanted assurances that no new roads would take trade away from current roads. The Rabbit Kingdom wanted secure borders. The Hawkfolk wanted assurances of aerial routes. The wolves wanted to know if Eldoris planned on expanding further north.

Tanaka answered. “They do not plan on taking any Beastfolk land.” The lion representative immediately answered. “Planning doesn’t mean you won’t.” Tanaka looked at him. “I’ll tell you if I plan on invading.”

The hall fell silent. Garrath couldn’t help but laugh. Aldren rubbed his forehead. “Lord Tanaka.” “What? I’m telling the truth!” “Perhaps too much.” Trade was next.

Tanaka explained the benefits of working with Eldoris. They could offer materials from the Great Verdant Forest, dungeon materials, monster crafted items, metals from the dwarves and once the new road was finished, access to Varkesh. This drew attention. The Foxfolk delegation, now represented by one of Veyra’s senior officials who had not been involved in the attack, wanted lower tariffs.

The Boarfolk wanted assurances of transport. The Rabbit Kingdom wanted access to certain herbs in the forest. Everyone began arguing about prices. Tanaka fell silent. He watched. Aldren tried to keep things under control. Garrath was clearly frustrated with the merchants causing a fuss over everything.

Queen Elowen tried to steer the conversation back to a mutually beneficial arrangement. However, no one was really listening. Three hours passed. Then four. By the sixth hour Tanaka knew why Eldrin hated meetings. They had not really come to any agreement.

The Beastfolk nations all wanted to work with Eldoris. But they just couldn’t agree on how much everyone else should have. Eventually Tanaka raised his hand. “May I ask something?” The hall slowly fell silent. “Is this how all negotiations go?”

Aldren stared. “Yes.” Tanaka slumped slightly. “That’s terrible.” Even Elowen smiled. Garrath laughed. Aldren sighed. “At least we have come to an agreement on something.”

—

By the evening the first day was considered a failure. Not openly. Aldren said they would be taking a break. Tanaka said what it was. They had come to no agreement. The Wolf King said they would reconvene in two days so that each delegation could discuss their proposals in private and come back with a clearer idea.

Tanaka had no one to argue with. Raizen wanted whatever was best for Eldoris. Zephyr wanted assurances of aerial routes. Tanaka had two days to himself. He immediately sent a message through the Dominion Nexus.

Eldrin. Several moments later he received a reply. Lord Tanaka? The meeting has been postponed for two days. Make sure everything is running smoothly while I’m away. Pause. Tanaka added. And don’t slack off.

Immediately he received a reply. WE’RE the ones who aren’t supposed to slack off? Tanaka’s body shook with laughter. Raizen looked at him. “What did you do?” “Nothing.” Another message arrived.

You’re the one visiting another country’s capital while I deal with building, school, dwarves, dungeon, Malachiel and Nethaliel. Tanaka laughed even harder. He sent one final message. Good luck. I’ll be having some fun. No reply. Tanaka pictured Eldrin staring off into the distance somewhere in Eldoris.

He laughed. Raizen shook his head. “You enjoy tormenting him.” “Just a little.”

—

Later that afternoon Tanaka returned to the academy area. To his surprise it was easy to find Lynessa. She had been walking through the courtyard with a basket of folded fabric. She looked up as she saw him. Her ears perked up. “Lord Tanaka?” “Hi.”

She looked around nervously. “Did something happen?” “No.” This appeared to confuse her. “I have some free time. Would you like to take a walk?” Lynessa stared at him. “With me?” “Yes.” “Why?” Tanaka paused.

“Do I need a reason?” It seemed she did. However, after a moment she nodded. “I need to get this back first.” “Wait.”

—

They walked around Varghelm until the sun set. Lynessa knew some streets Tanaka hadn’t seen. She showed him smaller markets, training areas and several places where regular beastfolk practiced their magic. Tanaka stopped at most of them. At one courtyard several wolves were practicing short spells.

“Wind of the open field! Come together and become sharp! Cutting Gale!” A blade of wind hit the wooden target. Tanaka watched carefully. He mimicked the stance. “Wind of the open field! Come together and become sharp! Cutting Gale!” His mana gathered. Nothing happened.

Lynessa blinked. Tanaka tried again. The spell halfway formed then fizzled out. A nearby wolf teen looked at him. “You’re doing it wrong.” Tanaka looked at him. “Show me.” The boy did. Tanaka mimicked. The third time a weak blade of wind hit the target.

Tanaka smiled. “Some progress.” Raizen had been following them from afar and stepped forward. “I’ll try.” Tanaka looked at him. “You?” Raizen ignored his tone. The Star Wolf King chanted. “Wind of the open field! Come together and become sharp! Cutting Gale!”

Nothing happened. Tanaka stared. Raizen tried again. Nothing. Lynessa covered her mouth. Tanaka slowly began to shake. “Don’t laugh.” “I’m not.” “You are.” “I’m trying not to.”

Raizen tried again. A small gust blew a few leaves. Tanaka lost it. His slime body bounced with laughter. Raizen looked like he was about to bite him. “I can use wind naturally.” “Obviously not.” Raizen growled. Eventually Lynessa laughed.

Tanaka had never heard her laugh. He looked at her. She instantly stopped. “I’m sorry.” “Why are you apologising?” She looked away. “I don’t know.” Tanaka didn’t press. They continued walking.

—

As evening settled over Varghelm more street lights lit up. Tanaka watched as a fox mage chanted a short spell to light one up. He mimicked the chant. He was still struggling with proper spells but every time he tried he learned something new about how beastfolk manipulate their mana. Raizen had stopped participating.

Tanaka guessed it had something to do with pride. Lynessa was walking with him more easily now. She wasn’t as far away but she wasn’t about to run the second he spoke. Tanaka noticed. He also noticed that every time someone nearby cast a spell, her eyes would light up.

She would watch hungrily. Sometimes her lips would move as she chanted. However, she never joined in. Tanaka remembered what his Mana Sense had shown him. There was power sealed within her. There was impossible pressure behind whatever was blocking it.

He wanted to ask but decided not to. He looked ahead as the last light disappeared behind the rooftops of Varghelm. Two days until the next negotiation. Two days to explore. Two days to learn. And maybe two days to understand the weird cat beastfolk walking beside him.